Conditions Continue to Be Top Notch

Happy Hump Day! It’s Wednesday and we are almost halfway done with the work week folks. It’s going to be another great day on the slopes for all the lucky individuals who make it out to the resorts today. Bluebird skies and temperatures in the 40’s will make for some awesome riding conditions. All of the resorts are looking in great shape this morning. Cataloochee was even able to makes some snow last night so kudos to them!

Part of my job entails making sure that the web cameras are up and running and yesterday I caught myself being slightly jealous of the people who I saw out there riding. Conditions are just so good right now. Before I graduated, I was able to usually get in at least one day of riding during the week and avoid the weekend crowds. I am still able to go at night, but nothing beats a day on the mountain with sunny skies and no lift lines. I can’t complain though, I have an AWESOME job and love coming to work everyday.

Beech looks great this morning. Looking at images like this all day>>> makes me want to get out there!

I read a post on the messageboard yesterday afternoon about a girl who tragically passed away last weekend after succumbing to head injuries sustained in a skiing accident in West Virginia. I feel like over the past couple of seasons I’ve heard of more and more accidents involving head injuries and a lot of the people involved in them weren’t wearing helmets. While there has been a visible increase in recent years in the amount of people who wear them, there is still a large group who don’t feel the need for them. A number of resorts in the country now require employees to wear helmets and this past fall California almost passed a bill that would have required anyone under the age of 18 to wear one while skiing or riding. While I think it’s going a little overboard to force people into wearing a helmet, I’ve never understood why you wouldn’t choose to wear a helmet. I’ve been snowboarding for four or five years now and there have only been a few instances where I didn’t have one on while I was riding. I’ve even persuaded my friends and girlfriend to start wearing them, and I’m glad I did so as I’ve seen a few of them hit their head pretty hard (even knock themselves out in one case). While I’d like to think I pull off the helmet look pretty well, I know they are not the most stylish of accessories. However, what they lack in style they more than make up for in functionality. Not even including safety, the benefits of helmets include the fact that you don’t have to go chasing after your goggles if you fall hard, your head will stay nice and dry and warm, and mine even have earphones built into the liner. I guess what I’m trying to say in this little rant is that you should really consider getting one if you already haven’t. You might thank me one day!

Alright, now it’s time for the resort rundown…

Appalachian Ski Mountain – 45°- Open today on all 12 slopes with a groomed surface. They have a new page on their website that will keep you up to date on the current terrain park features set up on the mountain, so if that’s your thing make sure to check it out before heading to the mountain. As always, conditions at App will be great. Ice skating is also open.

Beech Mountain Resort – 29°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a groomed surface. The terrain park is open with a multitude of fun features. Ice skating is also open today. I was up there last night and I can tell you firsthand that conditions are great up there right now.

Cataloochee – 34.3°- They are open on 100% of the mountain with a groomed surface today. They did make snow last night and I applaud them for that! Conditions should be top notch today. Today is Family Day at Cat. Any child 17 and under will receive a free lift ticket when accompanied by a parent purchasing a full price adult day, twilight, or night lift ticket. That’s a pretty sweet deal! Tubing will reopen on Thursday at 4pm. Just a reminder that it’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard Season at Cataloochee and with the purchase of rentals you get a free 1.5 hour beginner lesson!

Sapphire Valley – 28°- Open today on 100% of the mountain. Tubing is also open and they will have night skiing tonight. Don’t forget that Sapphire Valley will be hosting their Annual Outhouse Races this weekend!

Sugar Mountain – 29°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a perfectly groomed surface. It should be great skiing and riding as always up there. Skating and tubing are also open.

Wolf Ridge – 33° – Open on 13 of 23 slopes today with a groomed surface. Here’s what they have to say: “Its Wednesday, 33 degrees on the mountain and the weather man is calling for partly cloudy skies today. We will have 13 runs and 2 lifts open along with just our bottom Lodge for all ticket and rental purchases. The Upper Lodge will be closed this week and will reopen Friday at 4.30pm. Today is our Home Schooler Day: lift/ski/lesson package as well as our Ladies Night Out: Lift ticket $17.00. Get here early and be the first to Shred the snow. See you at the Wolf!!!”

Well that’s all I have for today. Send me photos, stories, or any questions to [email protected] and enjoy your Wednesday!

Mike is the Editor and founder of SkiSoutheast.com, SkiNC.com and ResortCams.com. Since September 1996 he has posted more than 13,000 posts, articles, photos and videos promoting all of the ski areas of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.Mike is the father of four daughters, is an avid skier and enjoys golf, tennis, kayaking and hiking in the mountains. Winter snowsports and Summer boating on Watauga Lake are among his favorite pastimes.

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